Bruce Arena has managed to irk or insult U.S. Soccer brass, MLS bosses, fans, the media and immigrants.
U.S. Soccer has tried to galvanize the soccer community and sponsors by setting 2010 as the date by which the U.S. men could win the World Cup. Then Arena says they probably wouldn't win it in his lifetime. (If he's an average U.S. male, we're talking Project 2026.)
He said MLS “could fold at any time.” This he uttered as the league campaigns desperately to portray itself as stable.
He took a swipe at fans and the press – two groups soccer is desperate for in this country – by saying the “worst” part of his job was dealing with them.
In a Washington Post interview, he said of immigrants: “They're not very good players,” and singled out Salvadorans and Guatemalans for criticism. (How soon we forget Salvadoran-born Hugo Perez, one of the greatest ever to don a U.S. jersey.)
Complaining about fans and media in a nation where they're gentler than in any other is laughable. Still, Arena is most accommodating to the press, enabling fans to get his views on every aspect of the game. He makes frequent appearances for supporters. Indeed, his “worst part of the job” comment came during an espn.com fan chat!
His slight on immigrant players – newcomers to this nation have long been great contributors to the game as players and fans – was insensitive and undiplomatic. But Arena has had excellent relationships with Latino players, and his behavior in private demonstrates an amiable attitude toward immigrants.
Yes, he drops some PR hand grenades and often belittles others' opinions – he likes to preface his answers by alluding to the questioner's ignorance. But it's a small price to pay, because Arena is far more revealing and interesting than the traditional platitude-spewing coaches.
In fact, it's refreshing to come across a public figure who doesn't read from a script.